Baked Vegetable Samosas with Mint

Posted on 02. Fri, 2010 by grace in Appetizers/Dim Sum, Indian

Baked Vegetable Samosas with Mint
By Vicki Liley, Author, Asian Appetizers

Called turnovers in the West, this Indian version is made with a signature spice and fresh herb combination.
Makes 12 samosas
3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
2/3 cup (100 g) cooked green peas
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1–2 green finger-length chilies, deseeded and finely chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice
12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed
1/3 cup (80 ml) oil
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and mash. In a medium bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with the rest of the [...]

Pear Anise Cooler

Posted on 01. Sun, 2010 by admin in Cocktails

Pear Anise Cooler
By Khai Duong, Ana Mandara
Serves 1
1 star anise
¼ Asian pear
1 bar spoon honey
1 ½ ounce pear liquor
5 ounces light beer
3 thin slices Asian pear for garnish
In a shaker, add star anise, Asian pear and honey. Muddle completely.  Fill with ice and add pear liquor. Shake and strain into a tall glass.  Fill glass halfway with ice. Top with light beer and garnish with a slice of Asian pear.
Chef’s Quote: Growing up in Vietnam, we would mix fruit and ice cold beers for a refreshing drink during the hot steamy summers.This is a cocktail that is refreshing that reminds me of those summers.

Gujia

Posted on 10. Thu, 2009 by grace in Holi, Holidays, Sweets

Gujia is a popular sweet dish of North India. This dish is associated with the festival of Holi.

Gujia
by Vikas Khanna, Author,  Modern Indian Cooking

250 grams of flour 
500 grams of Khoya
A few raisins
100 grams of almonds (finely chopped)
3 tablespoons of cooking oil
100 ml of water
250 grams of sugar
1. Mix the oil and flour properly to form a binding consistency of breadcrumbs. Add some water and knead lightly the entire mixture. Make it soft dough and set it aside with a damp cloth covering it.
2. Fry the khoya in cooking oil till it becomes light brown and then mix the sugar in it properly. Add the almonds and raisins, and fry for a few more minutes. Remove from fire and let it [...]

Thandai

Posted on 10. Thu, 2009 by grace in Drinks, Holi, Indian

Thandai is embedded with the tradition of Holi. A refreshing and healthful drink, thandai is savored in the midst of the play throwing each other in the pool of colored waters. A glass of thandai offers instant energy and sets the mood for this fun-filled tradition. Drinking thandai during the blazing summer months is perfect, as it has tremendous cooling and soothing effects. It also provides necessary nutrition to the body, gives tremendous relief to the tired body and min and replenishes in the much required energy and freshness. Although homemade thandai always tastes better, in Banaras and elsewhere in India, it is now possible to buy commercial concentrates

Thandai
Courtesy of Asian Restaurant News
Serves 5
¼ cup almonds, blanched
¼ cup pistachios, blanched
¼ [...]

Kharipuri

Posted on 10. Thu, 2009 by grace in Diwali, Holidays, Sweets

Kharipuri is a simple sweet dish eaten during the grand festival of Diwali.

Kharipuri
By Vikas Khanna, author, Modern Indian Cooking

2 cups of wheat flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 tablespoon of omam seeds
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon asafetida powder
2 tablespoons of ghee
Some dry flour for dusting
1. Mix plain flour and 1/4 cup rice flour together. Add asafetida, onam seeds, turmeric, oil and mix it properly to make the dough softer.
2. Apply ghee and roll it like a large chapati. Sprinkling some rice flour, roll it into tight Swiss roll and cut into thick slices and keep it aside.
3. Then heat the oil in a pan and fry them till they become a golden colour. Now drain and keep it aside until ready to serve.

Mascarpone Banana Cake

Posted on 01. Fri, 2001 by grace in Sweets

Mascarpone Banana Cake
By Kristy Choo, Jin Patisserie
Serves 12
Mascarpone Mousse
1 gelatin sheet
1 egg yolk
1/8 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup mascarpone
1/3 cup whipped cream
Caramelized Bananas
2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla beans
Sponge Cake
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1. Completely submerge gelatin sheet in a bowl of cold water and let sit until soft. Whip egg yolk in electric mixer on high speed until it thickens. Add sugar to water and cook until it starts to bubble. Add cooked sugar to yolk, keeping the machine on high speed. Melt softened gelatin in microwave for 15 seconds on low heat. Add melted gelatin, then mascarpone into yolk mixture. Fold in whipped cream and thoroughly mix, being careful not to [...]